The holidays are upon us and Giving Tuesday is back. We are lucky in Huntsville to have some amazing animal rescue organizations. Read on for more and for ways to offer support.
Keep in mind that support doesn’t have to be monetary, though that is always welcome and allows any of the organizations below to funnel it to where it is most needed. Many organizations need volunteers to help walk dogs, clean kennels or staff adoption events. You can also check to see if they have online wish lists where you can order supplies and have them shipped-no shirt, no shoes required.
In addition to fostering, volunteering and donating money or supplies; liking, sharing and commenting on social media posts is an easy way to help. And you might just spot your next family member.
It takes a village to help ensure the animals in North Alabama are cared for and loved.
Huntsville Animal Services
Huntsville Animal Services is the shelter for the City of Huntsville and volunteers are always needed for things like walking, feeding, socializing, stuffing packets and more. Fosters are appreciated as well. If you would like to support the shelter in other ways, they often post on Facebook when they need things like blankets, hot dogs, peanut butter, toys or treats. Those small items can provide a lot of comfort to an animal who may be struggling in the shelter.
The Greater Huntsville Humane Society
GHHS is a no kill shelter that has been rescuing North Alabama animals for more than 50 years. Animals are available for adoption; fosters are always needed and they’re even working towards a Cat Sanctuary for our FeLV/FIV+ feline friends. GHHS offers lots of ways to give back through the year, check their Facebook to stay up to date. Three Tails ReSale is a thrift store and you can support the animals both by shopping and donating items. If you want to Party with the Pack, The Dog Ball is coming up February 3, 2024.
A New Leash on Life
A New Leash on Life is a local rescue dedicated to helping save all of Alabama’s homeless animals. If you go to PetSmart or Pet Supplies Plus (Madison location) on the weekends you will spy them with some of their adoptable pets. They also have three lifesaving centers and two thrift boutiques. We’ve adopted two animals from them and had wonderful experiences. You can keep up with them on Facebook as well and they will also be offering pet photos with the Grinch in exchange for monetary, food or supply donations.
Friends of Rescue
Friends of Rescue is an all-volunteer non-breed specific rescue that is foster based. That means all their animals are in foster homes. Your best source for the most up-to-date information is their Facebook. They have a thrift store as well and also a Gala in the early fall. Fosters are always needed. In fact, we adopted one of our cats after seeing a friend post pictures of the kittens she was fostering.
Luna Farms Rescue
Luna Farms Rescue is another volunteer, foster based rescue. Fosters are always needed in addition to donations. Luna Farms also works on transporting pets to areas where pets are needed to help them find loving homes-they’ve adopted all the way from Key West to Maine. Keep up with their events and needs on Facebook and go ahead and pencil in this date: December 2. They will be at Bridge Street, with my personal favorite Santa, doing Pet Photos. Clean up your cell phone, make a donation and head to Bridge Street. (Is it weird that I have a favorite Santa?)
Rocket City Rescue
Rocket City Rescue is also foster based. (Fosters are needed and so appreciated by any of these rescues.) RCR strives to give pets second chances and happy homes. Rocket City Rescue is a fixture at The Market at Mid-City and personally I always have a hard time not wanting to take each and every one home. You can keep up with them on Facebook as well. (Yes, my Facebook is basically full of animals.)
Felines and Canines Hunter Stephenson Rescue Center
HSRC was founded in 2018 and supports eight counties across North Alabama. They provide temporary housing, medical and emotional treatment and support to dogs and cats while preparing them to be relocated from the Rescue Center to ASPCA-approved adoption facilities-and they do it 2-3 times each week. Keep up with their needs on Facebook.
Madison Animal Rescue Foundation
MARF is another foster-based, volunteer organization and you can find them with adoptable pets at Petco Madison on Saturdays. They were founded in 2008 with the mission of saving animals in Madison. Their Facebook is the best place to keep up with events and activities.
Forgotten Felines-Huntsville
Forgotten Felines is dedicated to managing the feral cat population in our area by trapping, neutering/spaying and returning (TNR) cats back into their original territories. They also find loving homes for cats that are homeless, abandoned, unwanted or lost. In addition to foster homes, some of their cats can be found at PetSmart-both in Jones Valley and the one on University Drive. For more, head to their Facebook.
Lifeline Pet Rescue of North Alabama
Lifeline takes in pets that might not otherwise be rescued with the goal of allowing them to stay as long as they need to blossom into happy, healthy family members. They do have a shelter as well as rescues in foster. You can see more and learn about their events on Facebook.
Cattyshack
Cattyshack is located inside Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment and provides a place where you can meet adoptable friends AND cuddle them. Fosters are provided with food and medical supplies and vet care is covered. In addition to lounging with furry friends at Lowe Mill, reservations are required and the fee supports the rescue, you can also take part in Kitten Yoga. Give them a follow on Facebook.
Helping Animals Without Shelter
Not an adoption or foster organization, HAWS is out in the field supporting and helping those animals that live chained outside. They provide straw, water buckets, doghouses and more while educating owners. They also offer low-cost spay and neuter to low-income families. For more information on their activities and efforts, head to Facebook.
We are lucky in Huntsville to have so many organizations, and volunteers, dedicated to helping our furry friends, but it’s also sad that it’s such a needed service in our area. If you are looking for a way to offer your time, treasure or talent-any of the organizations listed are amazing options.
Looking for your new best friend? They can of course help you with that as well.
